MR SMYTH: Minister, why are you not supportive of Canberra's creative industries by denying them access to this funding?

MR BARR: The government is very supportive of Canberra's creative industries, and that is demonstrated through, for example, the establishment of ScreenACT, the support that we provide through the business development portfolio and also the support that is provided through other areas of territory government.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.

MR GENTLEMAN: Minister, in regard to the skills list, can you advise whether it includes automotive training, and are you aware of the electric vehicle automotive training that has been going on at the CIT?

MR BARR: I thank Mr Gentleman. I have had the pleasure of visiting the CIT facility that he refers to in my time as Minister for Education and Training. It is a particularly positive partnership between the CIT and Toyota, who certainly are world leaders in hybrid engine technology. Yes, there clearly is an opportunity through that partnership and, indeed, through other partnerships between industry and training providers in the territory to broaden the skills base within the ACT.

Tourism—events

MS BERRY: My question is to the Minister for Economic Development. Can the minister outline how the ACT government's events strategy is benefiting the ACT community?

MR BARR: The ACT government has a strategic, comprehensive and very successful events strategy.

Mr Hanson: Is it transformational?

MR BARR: It could well be. The strategy is indeed proving successful in boosting the ACT economy. Some might go so far as to say it is playing an important role in the transformation of our city's economic activity.

Madam Speaker, as I am sure you are aware, events are a key means of attracting tourists to any city, town or region. In a competitive tourist market it is not enough just to rely on static offerings. As impressive as these may be, no city can rely simply on attractions, whether they are natural beauty, cultural attractions or indeed nightlife. What is needed, and what we have in the ACT, is a strong program of events that add to such offerings, to serve as an extra and proactive way of encouraging tourists to visit and stay in the territory and in the region. These events in the territory range as far and wide as exhibitions, festivals, sporting events and other flagship events such as Floriade.